The rest of the day dragged slowly. Diablo remained locked in his room for the punishment, imagining the men eating lunch. By now he was hungry again, rubbing his stomach.

When is my water coming? Did Master forget? Diablo thought in fear, gazing at the door in desperation, coughing sometimes from thirst. His head fell on the pillow. Diablo wanted to be let out so badly, but he figured his master was still angry and wouldn't let him out anytime soon.

But then the door rattled around lunch, opening right there and revealing Shadow Man with water. Diablo gave a smile but it was small and scared, glad for his water but afraid of what his master was going to say now.

Shadow Man nodded at Diablo to come forward, which he did. Diablo went to take the glass but he held it out of reach.

"So, Diablo, have you been thinking over your cheating?" Shadow Man asked sternly. The red one swallowed, nodding.

"Y-yes. I won't cheat again, Master. But please, may I have food? I'm hungry," he pleaded, stomach growling again. Shadow Man shook his head. "No, Diablo. Your punishment isn't over until breakfast tomorrow. But here, take your water. This is all you're getting."

Diablo lowered his head and nodded, taking the glass. "Thank you," he said. Shadow Man nodded, closing, and locking the door again.

After that, Diablo went over to the window to look outside, taking a drink of his water which felt better, gazing out at the ranch fields, wings ruffling from wanting to glide out there.

It got rather boring during the remainder of the day. Diablo trying to save his water as much as he could, stomach feeling empty and pangs eating at it too. He sniffled again from his punishment, but somewhat glad his master didn't flog him, curling there near the window, taking another drink. He didn't dare sneak out in case he got punished further.

He smelt dinner coming through the door at 6:00, going to it, trying to open the doorknob, but it remained shut. Diablo hated missing out on dinner but it was to be expected. A voice suddenly spoke to him.

"Loser freak! That's what you get for cheating!" mocked a man's voice. It made tears come to his eyes, shrinking back from the door, going to hide under his covers after putting his glass on the nightstand, remaining there for the rest of the night.

I wish I had a true friend here. Nobody seems to like me... Diablo thought out of loneliness. His master seemed to respect him and give him praise, but it didn't feel as genuine as having a true friend. It was 9:30 by the time he fell asleep, still hungry, hoping his master would let him out tomorrow.

....

His eyes opened the next morning from hearing his belly growl, the sun shining through the window. Diablo yawned, sitting up, wearily gazing longingly at the door, praying he will soon be free.

But then Diablo's ears perked at hearing his door knob rattle; was his punishment over?

It opened. Shadow Man looked in; his face gentler than yesterday. Diablo pressed timidly into his bed, waiting fearfully of his outcome. But Shadow Man smiled under his hood.

"You can come out now, Diablo. Your punishment is over. Breakfast is waiting." Diablo's spirits lifted, happy tears coming down, getting off the bed.

He hugged his master unexpectedly. "Thank you, I'm so sorry! I won't upset you again, Master!" Diablo wept. Shadow Man cleared his throat, pushing Diablo away gently.

"Ok. But lay off the hugging," Shadow Man muttered, straightening his shirt and adjusting his mask. Diablo flushed but followed Shadow Man like a puppy in his wake to the dining room, stomach whining even more for food.

They entered the kitchen/dining area, where Diablo smiled at the sight of all that great food waiting for him. All the other men had eaten already, which he didn't complain about, sitting down. Shadow Man also sat to keep an eye on him.

Diablo filled up his plate, eating as much as he could, stomach happy it was being fed. Shadow Man smirked a little at his gargoyle's enthusiastic eating.

"I'm glad you're out again, Diablo, for I will give you a chance to redeem yourself." Diablo swallowed his food. "Redeem myself?" He asked with his mouth full. Shadow Man nodded. "Our cattle need to be moved near the barn since I saw a storm headed our way in a few more days. You have to help us herd them. Can you handle that, Diablo?"

Diablo instantly nodded. From this point he'd do anything to get praise again from his master. "Yes, yes! I can do it! I won't fail you, Master!" Shadow Man clasped his hands together. "See that you don't," he said in his stern voice. The red male was scared about this but had to believe in himself to be able to do his master's task.

.....

Later that afternoon, Diablo followed his master and the other men, who were on horses out in the field. He could run on all of his fours and catch up easily. Shadow Man knew his gargoyle could easily guide the cattle in.

"Your task is to make sure the cattle don't go astray, Diablo! Me and my men will take care of the rest!" He shouted to Diablo over the cattle mooing. Diablo nodded, swallowing a little at the sight of some of the cattle's horns but did his best to be brave.

The men began to guide the cattle in, Diablo keeping watch and not wanting any cow out of his sight. It was quite a ways there but Diablo knew it would hopefully be worth the challenge to get back under his master's good graces.

His sharp eyes spotted a calf wandering out. Eyes glowing, Diablo ran over to it, growling, ensuring the calf got the message to stay in the herd. The calf mooed, moving back from this strange creature herding it. It was hard work but Diablo was managing it well but taking care not to get trampled by the cattle at the same time.

In the end, the herd was successfully moved, and were now grazing peacefully. Shadow Man looked over at his gargoyle, who was exhausted but looked happy about finishing the job, laying there on the ground. Shadow Man jumped off his horse, kneeling down and holding up the tired gargoyle's head.

"You did well, Pet. I am proud of you. You have redeemed yourself." Diablo smiled tiredly, happy he could please him again.

"After we rest I'm having a party tonight with my business friends. And for your reward Diablo, you may join us in the party and meet them."

Diablo blinked in surprise when pushing himself to his feet. "Really?" he asked. Shadow Man nodded. "Yes, you earned it, my boy. Now go rest and wash for tonight. My friends come around 5:00." The red male nodded as they went into the house together.

....

Later that evening, Diablo had managed to get himself freshened up for the party. But he was nervous, for he had never been to one before. Diablo gulped. What if my master's friends don't like me? He asked silently, trembling after brushing his hair. He heard his door open.

"It is time, Diablo. My friends are here," Shadow Man said. Diablo nodded, warily following his master out to the living room. While on the way, Shadow Man whispered at him. "And behave, Diablo. Don't give them a reason to cause you trouble." Diablo nodded, trembling.

His eyes widened when seeing four official looking humans there; three men and one woman who looked to be in her mid-40s or 30s. She eyed him with the most interest. Shadow Man grinned when they saw his gargoyle with disbelieving and interested looks on their faces. One man named Henry with a beard shook his head. "How could Anthony even nab one up?" He murmured softly to another named Eric. Diablo's ears perked at the name Anthony and looked at his master. Could that be his name?

Anthony bowed to everyone. "My business friends, I invited you all here to celebrate the success of me rescuing this gargoyle. He has been most useful and helpful on my ranch."

The third man, Carl, narrowed his eyes. "I thought you bought him?" he said. This made Diablo nervous and confused. Bought? Anthony took his hand. "Don't listen to them, little friend." he said softly. Diablo nodded to his master as they filed in to eat dinner.

While eating dinner, Diablo couldn't help but note how the woman kept looking at him like a prize to be taken. He did his best to ignore her and eat, while Anthony spoke private business to the rest of them.

After dessert, Anthony went out onto the patio with the men. But while Diablo was going to follow, he felt someone tap on his shoulder. He turned to see the woman. She was smiling eagerly at him. He nodded nervously at her.

"Uh... hi," he greeted, wanting to join his master soon.

The woman spoke. "My, aren't you a handsome specimen. My name is Claire," she introduced.

Diablo smiled nervously more. "N-nice to meet you, too. But I can't keep my master waiting." Claire shook her head. "I'm sure Anthony can survive a few moments without you, for I wish to talk. Can we go somewhere private?" Diablo felt confused but nodded. They went into the hallway, Claire's men beside them, too.

When they reached the hallway, Claire suddenly gave Diablo a seductive gaze which made Diablo all the more confused. What did she really want?

"I have watched you most of the night, handsome thing. And I have been thinking; would you much prefer I take you to work for me? I can offer better accommodations and privileges." She traced her hand along his arm. Diablo felt tingles, quickly pulling away.

"Thanks, that's nice of you but I like it here, with my master." Diablo said.

"Oh surely a handsome male like yourself would also like some female company sometimes? Being that there are no other women here." Claire said seductively.

"What did you really want to talk to me about?" he asked.

"I want you to come home with me. You could be my assistant around my place. You wouldn't be treated like a slave. I would be a much better mistress for you. I would make sure you stayed happy." Claire stated. "Anthony's men likely don't like you, am I right?"

Diablo had heard them mock him and such, but things might get better over time the more he proved himself to them that he could be trusted. He knew nothing about this woman and her business affairs, but then, he didn't know all of his master's either. But he had known Anthony for longer.

"Uh, thanks for the offer, Miss Claire, but I like staying here. This is my home. My master treats me fairly. There's lots to do and they need me to help them." Diablo tried to explain that he didn't want to go anywhere.

"Look, young Gargoyle, you are going to come with me. I desire to have you at my home." Claire began to get more forceful in her words which scared the red male and he began backing away from her. This feeling of something bad was going to happen sent a shiver down his spine and he reached down to push the button on his anklet.

"Grab him!" Claire ordered her men and two of them came up fast and grabbed the gargoyle's arms.

Diablo tried to resist. "Let go of me! Help!" he cried out. He tried getting his arms out of the men's grips but they held on to him tightly.

Claire then came up to the red male seductively. "You don't have to put on such an act that you want to stay here. I can be... so much more for you." She ran one hand under his chin and the other down his chest to his belly. His jaw clenched up from her touch.

"Please... don't do this..." Diablo pleaded.

Claire's hand running down his belly almost reached his belt when a hand grabbed her shoulder and pulled her violently away from Diablo.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Shadow Man demanded angrily.

Claire was astounded that her 'friend' had done such a thing to her.

"You men better take your hands off my gargoyle, or else!" Anthony warned. His own men came into the room with guns aimed on them. It made Diablo get nervous of being punished again, not knowing if his master would think he was trying to get this woman to seduce him.

Claire's men took their hands off the gargoyle's arms and Diablo rubbed his arms. He quickly walked over behind his master. His eyes were wide with fear.

"What did you think you were doing, Claire? Trying to turn Diablo against me?" Shadow Man demanded.

"I just think I could give him a better home." The woman replied.

"I don't think so. He is my gargoyle. I order you and your men to leave now." Anthony ordered.

Claire gave an angry look at Diablo. She wanted him. She deserved him more than Anthony did. "Fine!" she snapped. She and her men left the party. The other men also left.

When they were gone, Diablo nervously looked at his master. He began to plead for himself. He had a dreaded feeling in his stomach. He didn't want to get punished again. "Please, Master. I didn't do anything to warrant her for wanting me. I didn't try to take advantage of her or anything. I just wanted her to leave me alone."

"I know. Thanks for sending out the call for help. Claire likes to take advantage of my clients sometimes when she wants them for herself." Anthony said.

"Is your name Anthony?" Diablo asked.

"Yes, but you will call me Master only. You understand?"

"Yes, Master." Diablo replied.

"From now on, even when I have friends or clients over, you must stay out of sight of them." Anthony declared.

"I don't want to go anywhere else, Master. I swear I want to stay here with you." Diablo said.

"Good, Diablo." Anthony was glad to hear this from his gargoyle. "I am the only one who can protect you from the evil people in this world. Not all people are as understanding as I am about you."

Diablo gave a smile, but was still shaking from his scare, wings wrapped around him. Anthony noticed, taking his hand. "Everything is fine now, Pet. I'm sure a good patrol tomorrow can help you take your mind off of it, hm?"

"Yeah, it would," Diablo replied, eager to get back into it, hoping tomorrow would be a better day.